The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Answering Letters.
BY J. z. LAMBERTON.

Not long since I had OCCASION to no.
tify venerable bishop Of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church Of matter af-
fecting an institution of which he was
a trustee. Although the letter really
needed no reply, and the bishops in
firm health might have been sufficient
excuse for his not writing, 1 was GER
tainly pleased at receiving, in few
days, q kind acknowledgement of my
note. The reply was but one instance
among many of the unfailing courtesy
of this truly Christian gentleman.
About the same time | wrote to q
Judge who was then holding court in a
large city. had been acquainted with
the Judge before he was admitted to
the bar, but had not seen him since
that time. The letter was on person
al topic. and I should not have been
surprised if the pressure of his profess
sional duties had compelled him to de-
lay answering. Nevertheless, prompt
ly by return of mail came full all.
swer to my question.
In the same week I sent letter of
inquiry to the secretary of one of the
largest railroad companies in this
country. 1t was not on railroad busi-
ness, but the secretary's answer came
just as promptly as in the previous
case. And further, when he after
wards obtained some additional infor-
nation on the point inquired about,
he kindly sent me a second letter a few
days later. That showed that he had
not forthwith dismissed the matter,
but really desired to oblige his cores
pondent.
Again wrote to the principal retail
merchant of q large city. had OBJ
served all error of fact in statement
prominently displayed in his store,
and remarked to a companion, at the
time of my visit, that, though not per-
sonally acquainted with the proprie-
tor, should call his attention to the
mistake. He attempted to dissuade
me on the ground that there would be
no result from an unknown correspon-
dents letter. But just as promptly as
in any previous case came the mer-
chants autograph letter of cordial
thanks, while a clerks more formal
letter followed in a few days, stating
that the correction had been made as
suggested.
Apart from the several subjects OF
these letters to busy men in widely
different walks of life, the promptness
with which they all responded was
noteworthy. This weeks experience
migat readily go to prove that there is
no one so steadily occupied that he
cannot answer in due time the letters
written to him for sufficient reason.
We may expect requests for auto
graphs, cong gratulatory letters, and
similar writing, in regard to answer
ing which each one may make his
own rule according to his own conven-
ience or pleasure. Yet all have not
learned the rule requiring an answer
to letters, properly so called. l had
an example shortly before the week
referred to. A young minister came
to labor in the city where 1 have long
long resided. Having learned of an
enterprise which he had undertaken
for the benefit of his congregation, l
wrote to express my approval, and also
to help in the good work which he
had begun. There is reason to believe
that the letter did prove of service for
this purpose, yet months have elapsed
without a reply from the minister. 1t
cannot be that he is more fully occu.
pied with important duties than other
correspondents mentioned. 1t must
be that he has not yet learned the duty
of answering letters.
Men steadily busy always find OF
make time to answer promptly the
ten, twenty, or hundred letters which
encounter them from day to day.
This promptness is all essential part OF
the system which enables them to
keep pace with the demands of their
position. But the spasmodically busy
man, in his hurry to do half his work
feels compelled to postpone and neg
lect the other half, and letters are easi-
ly treated thus. for they make no com.
plaint. The careless man, too, is apt
to be forgetful of replying to letters
received, as he is of the other courte-
sizes of human intercourse. But the
diligent man, who is worthy to stand
before kings, practices punctuality-
1.-THE politeness of kings'-in answer
ing letters.